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The Champions League has passed through it’s usual winter break & the action is all to set to kick off again this week with the first set of 2nd round matches.

The 2nd round is where the Champions League really starts to get very interesting as 16 top class sides now match up against each other in a knock-out format of 8 fantastic 2 legged matches with teams playing home & away.

This season, UEFA have done things slightly different with the games staggered with the 4 ties which took place last week & the 4 ties that are set to take place this week.

The 2nd round line up is fascinating & all the matches look set to produce their own drama, quality & entertainment and here are our views on this weeks matches with the value betting options we feel are worth consideration:

Olympiacos vs Bordeaux – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

With Olympiacos priced at 80/1 to win the Champions League & Bordeaux at 33/1 to do likewise, it is highly unlikely this tie will produce the winners but that won’t concern either side & all they will see is a fantastic opportunity to progress.

Olympiacos qualified for the 2nd round by finishing 2nd to Arsenal in Group H with 3 wins & a draw from their 6 group stage matches.

The real strength of their qualification was their home form & their defensive record with only 4 goals conceded in those 6 games with the game based on being hard to beat & break down.

Olympiakos are strong at home & their fans create a phenomenal atmosphere which does represent a test to their opponents & if Olympiakos are too progress they need to win this so we expect an organised, determined approach here from them.

There are no real stars amongst the Olympiacos squad with their strength based on fantastic team spirit, commitment & work ethic that does make them tough to break down & particularly at home.

The one weakness for Olympiacos is they do not convert all the chances they create & goals scoring is an issue for them at this level which does add pressure & makes winning matches much tougher.

The group stage standings show that Bordeaux were the most successful of all 16 teams who qualified for the 2nd round as they won 5 & drew the other of their 6 group stage matches with a record of 9 goals scored & only 2 conceded.

That record was very impressive & indeed the performances that Bordeaux put in prove they are well worthy of their place & represent a threat to anybody they will play.

Bordeaux know that they face a test against Olympiacos with the whole crowd against them but that won’t concern them with the great belief they have in their own ability to go there & get a positive result.

Bordeaux play a naturally positive, attacking style of football and their approach will be to go out to try & get the away goals and win that would give them a huge chance of progressing.

Bordeaux have a real level of talent within their squad with the stars being the much vaunted striker Chamakh who is strong & as a real eye for goal while Gourcuff offers creativity and the ability to score vital goals as well.

This is going to be a competitive match given the strength of Olympiakos at home & Bordeaux’s proven ability so a scoring draw is a tempting option but we just favour the attacking quality of Bordeaux who look worth a bet to get a vital away win.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Bordeaux to win

Correct Score options: Bordeaux to win 2-0/2-1

Player to score each way/Player to score anytime: Chamakh/Gourcuff/Ciani

Scorecast options: Chamakh/Gourcuff/Ciani score 1st & Bordeaux win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Bordeaux H/T & F/T

Stuttgart vs Barcelona – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

This is a fascinating David vs Goliath clash & the differences in profile, history & size of Stuttgart & Barcelona cannot be underestimated & it should be a really interesting game to watch.

Stuttgart earned their place in the 2nd round phase in the most dramatic of circumstances because they had the pressure of having to win their final group stage match to progress but incredibly they went 3-0 up inside 11 minutes & incredibly they finished 2nd behind Sevilla.

That win was easily their best performance in what had been a frustrating qualifying & the fact they had 3 draws shows how tough Stuttgart do find it to win at this level.

A match against Barcelona is clearly a very tough task indeed but Stuttgart have an excellent team spirit & work ethic so they will be positive & compete for everything which will test Barcelona.

Barcelona are the reigning champions in the Champions League & favourites to retain their title which is entirely understandable given the immense quality they have.

Barcelona were not at their brilliant best in the group stages but they did have a particularly competitive group & ultimately did enough to win the group with a record of 3 wins & 2 draws from 6 matches.

Possessing the great talents of Henry, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Xavi & Iniesta gives Barcelona the ability to beat anybody in the world home or away & we expect Barcelona to come to this match with winning it their only ambition.

This should be an entertaining game because Stuttgart know they probably need a good win here to progress while Barcelona are certain to go for the win as well so with the game likely to be an open, attacking game, that will perfectly suit Barcelona & they look a rock solid bet to win here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Barcelona to win

Correct Score options: Barcelona to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Messi/Xavi/Ibrahimovic

Scorecast options: Messi/Xavi/Ibrahimovic score 1st & Barcelona win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Barcelona H/T & F/T

csKA Moscow vs Sevilla – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

This clash has got the makings of being a really entertaining match as both CSKA Moscow & Sevilla like to attack & this should prove well worth watching.

CSKA Moscow finished 2nd in Group B behind Manchester United despite losing 2 of their 6 matches & that shows the incosistency in their performances.

CSKA Moscow had 2 wins & a defeat in their 3 home matches & also produced a remarkable performance to draw 3-3 against Manchester United which does highlight the attacking threat they carry when on form.

The star of CSKA Moscow’s group phase matches was Krasic who has great technical ability & a real eye for goal while Dzagoev & Berezutsky also offer a real attacking threat & the ability to score important goals.

A record of 10 goals scored & 10 goals conceded shows CSKA Moscow have the ability to score but also a defensive fragility that will be tested by Sevilla and that is a concern for this match.

Sevilla are a side overloaded with attacking talent & on their day they have the ability to beat any side in european football proven by their excellent record in europe over the last 5 years.

Kanoute, Fabiano, Navas, Squillaci, Konko & Renato all have great attacking quality & a real eye for goal which makes Sevilla a real threat as an attacking force & we are expecting Sevilla to go for the win here.

The trip to Russia won’t be easy & Sevilla will be confident of beating CSKA Moscow at home but they will want away goals & a win to take to that 2nd leg so we are expecting a really positive performance from them here and in our view they look an excellent bet to make their extra quality pay & get a vital away win

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Sevilla to win

Correct Score options: Sevilla to win 2-1/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Kanoute/Fabiano/Navas

Scorecast options: Kanoute/Fabiano/Navas score 1st & Sevilla win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Sevilla H/T & F/T

Inter Milan vs Chelsea – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

Without doubt, this is the most interesting & highest profile of all the 2nd round ties and Inter Milan & Chelsea look primed to play their part in what should be a really fascinating, high pressure battle.

On a football level this is real, proper contest as both Inter Milan & Chelsea go into this match clear leaders of their respective leagues & looking highly like to become league champions come the end of the season.

There is so much quality within both the Inter Milan & Chelsea squads & both teams are very strong in all areas of the pitch & their are no obvious weaknesses in either side.

Inter Milan have Lucio, Sneijder, Samuel, E’too, Milito, Stankovic & Balotelli while Chelsea can more than match that with Drogba, Lampard, Anelka, Cech, Terry & Ballack and this really is going to be a battle of quality & intensity.

The two managers also bring their own vast qualities & experience to the match with Carlo Ancelotti a proven Champions League winner with Inter’s great rivals AC Milan & of course Inter Milan’s manager Jose Mourinho has a proven history of success managing Chelsea so there are many fascinating personal twists to this match as well.

The key target for both Inter Milan & Chelsea is to win the Champions League so this match is going to be an incredibly high pressure, intensely important match that neither Inter Milan or Chelsea will want to lose & while they both have the talent to win it, a very competitive & maybe even physical scoring draw looks a value bet worth taking as both teams look likely to match each other all the way.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match result: DRAW

Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Drogba/Milito/Lampard

Scorecast options: Drogba/Milito/Lampard score 1st & 1-1/2-2

Double Result: